Monday, September 15, 2008

New Addiction!

No I did not abduct a kitten from the Humane Society -that was Cottonpicker.

No, I did not strip in the barn -that was Ranchwife.

hmmm...seems as if I have surrounded myself with mischief-makers!

My confession is quite blase in comparison.

I am addicted to...

quilting!

Yesterday I completed the top for the quilt I am making my daughter.

In progress:

My assistant:

So I guess I may just be putting the cart in front of the horse since I haven't actually QUILTED it yet, but close enough.

I am so excited! We bought the horse material 3 years ago and I made curtains for the huge windows in her room. Then I bought more fabric. Let's make a quilt to match.

Forward 3 years later... no quilt.

Then, suddenly...

I felt a twinge.

A stirring.

A desire.

A longing to make a quilt.

So here is the completed top:

Oh my! Ranchwife, you have created a monster! My mother-in-law's quilts have crawled into my dreams and uncovered the quilter within.

It's a conspiracy!

How will I feed my family if I am sitting in front of the sewing machine?

Will they forever be destined to wear dirty clothes because I am unable to walk away from the cutting mat long enough to wash laundry?

Will I have to sell all of my belongings in order to afford the colorful bolts of fabric that line the quilting shop walls and loudly call out to me, "pick me...and me...and me...and!"

Sigh.

I only wish someone had warned me or just given me a hint of how I could be completely sucked into something as simple as a quilt.

My mother-in-law is a quilter and so I have been surrounded by her fabulous creations for over 21 years. I treasure the quilts she has given us. So many of my children's memories, and precious pieces of their childhood, are wrapped up in those quilts.

This one adorned our bed for years when we were married.

This one wrapped a newborn in warmth on a cold morning.

This one soothed away the toddler tears.

This one was dragged across the floor and brought to Mommy and Daddy's bed when a bad dream invaded the sweet slumber of the 4 yr old.

This one was made into a fort that protected its inhabitants from the indian tribes that roamed the living room.

This one was perfect to huddle beneath and dive into the adventures of "Summer of the Monkeys" by the light of a flashlight until Mommy was hoarse.

This one calmed an upset stomach when it was tucked around the 10 yr old.

This one warmed the cold noses on a snowy day after building the snowman.

Oh my! So much more than fabric and thread is woven into our treasured quilts. I have one quilt that was made by my husband's grandmother. It is tucked away in my cedar chest, but I often glance at it and wonder what lovely stories it holds. How I wish that I could sit at her feet and listen to the tales as she pieced that quilt.

Long after grandpa's shirt had been worn through at the elbows...it has found a new home.

Long after granny's apron has been tucked into a corner after baking hundreds of pies...it has a new place of honor.

Long after the baby has outgrown the hand me downs from her mother...it has been repurposed.

Seems to me that quilters are the pioneers of recycling. After the useful items were fixed, patched, repaired, and mended; they were united into these pieces of history and they continue to serve a new purpose that will bless and warm new generations to come.

How very lucky for us!

Alas, I have been sucked in by the myriad of beautiful bolts that stand in precision at the quilt shops. Just one more print...

Oh those quilt shops are dangerous lairs. I have already been threatened. Not so long ago I heard, "Step away from the browns!" I looked up and who did I see...none other than the very person who sucked me into this addiction in the first place! Oh, Ranchwife, how could you?

Now about these accusations.....it isn't like I had to push you very hard toward this addiction, and you did not resist in any shape or fashion. And there are way worse things to be addicted to....like Hershey's kisses, which by the way or the perfect quilters snacking food. Small, easy to handle and a bunch of them can fit right next to your sewing machine. :)

What a lovely post! It's wonderful how things like quilts can be so memorable. Your quilt is very nice; colorful and well-blocked.

I have a very old, rust-stained, red/white/blue star pattern quilt top made by my grandmother waaaay back when. It was in my Daddy's trunk when he died in 1965. I think it was pieced in the early 1900's (Grandma was born in 1868) but don't know for sure, and there's no one left alive who could tell me. So, I just take it out of the cedar chest and look at it occasionally. It's not in good enough shape to actually quilt, and I have no idea what to do with it. Guess I'll just keep it 'til I die and let somebody else figure it out.

Catnapping and stripping and quilting should not be mentioned in the same sentance!! Your quilt is beautiful and the sentiments thereof! I have a quilt of my mom's that was made from all the outfits she used to sew for our family when I was little - what memories!! Great post!

About Me

Living life at the end of the dirt road is a joy and the blessings are many. My husband and I have been married for 29 years and we have two great kids ~ our son is 25, serving our country as a Marine, and our daughter is 22, working on her Ruminant Nutrition graduate degree..So proud of both of them! The good Lord has blessed us with an amazing life! We ranch on 128,000 acres and there is never a dull moment. I am chief cook, bottle washer, gate opener, and retired homeschool Mama. I love the Lord, photography, gardening, quilting,tending to cattle & horses and helping DH in any capacity I can, as well as feeding everyone that wonders down the dirt road.
So welcome to life at the end of the dirt road ~ I hope you enjoy the visit!